6. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding energy matters that are included in the draft National Development Framework 2020-2040? OAQ54482

Diolch. The Minister for Housing and Local Government and I have taken a fully collaborative approach on energy matters in the national development framework. I have engaged with her throughout its development, and continue to engage as we consider the responses to the current consultation. 

Given the climate emergency, we must increase the amount of electricity we produce from renewable sources. We also need public support for that. The draft framework identifies a significant area of Anglesey that should be considered as a priority area for the production of solar and wind energy. The research is based on erecting turbines of up to 250m. If we think about the tallest things on Anglesey, the Marquess’s column is only 106m, the old Anglesey Aluminum chimney is only 122m, the highest land in Anglesey, Holyhead Mountain on Holy Island, is only 220m. Given the low-lying nature of Anglesey, it’s totally obvious that suggesting turbines of this scale, or anywhere near that scale, is totally inappropriate. Yes, there is scope to consider small-scale wind that is appropriate to the landscape, but does the Minister realise that all that’s happened here, if truth be told, is that fears have been raised and people have been angered? Will she give an assurance that the Welsh Government will withdraw that threat? But also, with so much scope for Anglesey to produce renewable energy at sea, both tide and wind, which isn’t even mentioned in the framework, does the Minister see that that is best way of producing more renewable energy and getting public support for that?

I think you raise a couple of important points, which I will come to in a moment. But I think, to start with, I should reiterate we're currently out to consultation, so I think, if people do have those fears, put in their responses and obviously they will be looked at by the Minister for Housing and Local Government as part of the consultation responses.

Last week, I was in Dublin, at the ocean energy conference. Clearly, there is huge scope for innovation. I saw some presentations of energy production that you could only dream about; you would not think it's possible. So, I think that the opportunities around tidal and marine energy are huge and, clearly, Ynys Môn is absolutely at the fore in relation to that. So, taking the public with you, keeping the public confidence is very important, but everybody has to accept that, if you want electricity, we have to look at new ways of delivering it.

Minister, the current proposals within the energy section of the NDF don't include any details about how the energy produced would then be connected to the national grid. I wonder what representations you have made to the Minister for Housing and Local Government on this, and other bodies yourself, in terms of speaking to the national grid yourself as well. If the consultation results clearly demonstrate that there is not support for the proposals in the energy section within the NDF, will you amend or scrap those proposals? 

I've obviously had discussions with the national grid, and I know that the Minister for Housing and Local Government has herself met with the national grid. Capacity for the grid is clearly an issue and we urge the UK Government to ensure that the appropriate infrastructure is there. Obviously, we're out to consultation on the NDF at the current time, and the Minister will look at all responses and then bring forward the plan in due course.